An officer of the Philippine National Police is facing criminal and administrative charges after a violent shooting spree on Friday night, January 9, that left three fellow officers—including a municipal police chief—and a female civilian dead.
The suspect, PSSgt. Bonifacio Saycon, a member of the Sibulan Police Station, is currently in custody after surrendering to authorities following the bloodbath that occurred on the night of January 9.
According to PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, Director of the PNP-Negros Island Region (NIR), the violence erupted at the SAB Resto Bar in Barangay Tubtobon. The group had gathered to celebrate the birthday of the Sibulan police chief, Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca.
The victims have been identified as:Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca (Sibulan Police Chief); SMSgt. Tristan Chua; Pat. Rey Albert Temblor and bar employee Sheila Mae Dinanao, a resident of Pagadian.
Based on the the PNP-NIR report it revealed that officers who were killed along with Saycon were seated on a couch with Dinanao when, at approximately 9:35 p.m., the suspected without any provocation opened fire on the victim. Dinanao suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died instantly.
Following the initial shooting, witnesses observed Saycon boarding a vehicle with Cimafranca, Chua, and Temblor. Two other police officers present at the scene reportedly fled on a motorcycle to seek medical assistance for Dinanao.
Responding units from the Sibulan Municipal Police Station tracked the suspect’s route, eventually discovering Capt. Cimafranca’s Mitsubishi Lancer parked on a roadside. Inside the vehicle, officers found the lifeless bodies of the three slain policemen.
Saycon surrendered to the Tanjay City Police Station at 10:40 p.m. that same night and was subsequently turned over to Sibulan authorities.
PBrig. Gen. Ibay has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to lead the probe. He also confirmed that the two police officers who left the scene on a motorcycle will be included in the investigation to determine their level of involvement or negligence.
“There will be no whitewash,” Ibay stated during a press conference on Saturday. “Anyone found liable will be held strictly accountable under the law.
